B.C. Labour Relations Board has certified the Victoria Uber drivers' union under UFCW Canada – the first union certification of its kind for Uber drivers in the world.
The drivers’ campaign focused on securing workplace protections like improved health and safety measures, transparency in the app’s rating system, and fair processes for account deactivations. With certification secured, Victoria Uber drivers can now move forward to negotiate a collective agreement.
“This is a defining moment for the labour movement in Canada,” said Shawn Haggerty, UFCW national president, in a news release. “The certification of Uber drivers in Victoria shows that workers in every sector—even in the platform economy – can organize and win. These drivers are setting a national precedent, and UFCW Canada is committed to supporting them every step of the way as they work toward a strong, fair first agreement.”
UFCW Canada has worked with the Government of B.C. to develop laws and regulations that support platform workers, including providing input on the introduction of basic standards and workers’ compensation protections that were previously unavailable to this sector.
Since signing a national agreement with Uber in 2022, UFCW Canada has been working to provide drivers with support and advocacy when encountering disputes on the app. They filed over 4,000 cases on behalf of drivers, resulting in restored account access or positive resolutions to their disputes.
“Victoria’s Uber drivers have opened the door for app-based workers in British Columbia,” noted UFCW Canada Local 1518 president Patrick Johnson, in the release. “We’re committed to having their back as they negotiate an agreement that honours their historic achievement and sets a new standard for fairness and respect in the digital economy.”
